Your Guide to More Efficient and Money-Saving Light Bulbs

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In 2007, the U.S. Congress adopted -- and President George W. Bush signed into law -- minimum energy
efficiency standards for everyday lightbulbs to be gradually phased in between 2012 and 2014, giving
lightbulbs their first major technology update since the days of Edison. These energy-saving standards have now been successfully implemented: New and improved halogen incandescents and LED (light-emitting
diode) lightbulbs have entered the market and are widely available along with compact fluorescents lamps
(CFLs). As a result, an energy efficient lightbulb that complies with federal regulations is now available for every socket in America.

Standards Have Led to Lighting Innovation and More Options for Consumers

As a result of the standards, we have seen unprecedented levels of innovation by lighting companies big and small and consumers now have more energy-saving light bulbs to choose from than ever before. Consumers can now choose from new and improved incandescents (sometimes marketed as halogen or halogen incandescents) that use 25 percent less energy or CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and LEDs (light
emitting diodes) that use 75 to 80 percent less energy than conventional incandescents.

There is No Justification for Any Kind of Legislation Preventing Enforcement of the Lightbulb Efficiency Standards

In 2011 Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) introduced an appropriations rider to prevent enforcement of the lightbulb energy efficiency standards, and the rider was included in the final federal government funding bill for that year. Unfortunately, this provision, which has been included in subsequent continuing resolutions to fund the government, prohibits federal agencies from spending money to enforce or implement these lightbulb efficiency standards, which will save consumers up to $13 billion per year.

The lightbulb energy efficiency standards are already saving consumer, business, and industrial customers billions on their utility bills while reducing pollution and creating new jobs. U.S. lighting manufacturers are already making energy efficient bulbs. Any legislation to prevent the Department of
Energy from enforcing these energy-saving regulations makes those U.S. manufacturers -- as well as American consumers and jobs -- vulnerable to the introduction of noncompliant bulbs by foreign companies. We urge Congress to reject all legislation aimed at blocking the government from protecting our citizens and businesses from these substandard products.